Dominus Virtutum Nobiscum

Members Area

Upcoming Events

Recent Blog Entries

Recent Photos

Newest Members

The Club

Gateway Church Ashford Football Club

We are a church run team based in Willesborough Ashford, we are part of the East Kent Churches League. competing against 10 other churches across East Kent.

Formerly Ashford Baptist Church Football Club from 2003-2011, our ex manager Mark had some great seasons with us, taking us to our first quarter-final in 2010/11 and leading us to two spells in the top flight, and we thank him for all his efforts year on year, but alas he made the decision to step down.

Steve our second in comand stepped in to take the reigns and guided us to our first semi-final in the clubs history, it was a tough time getting the players in as we had used 30 different players in the first 9 matches and 40 in all by the end, we finished 5th in the second division of the East Kent Churches League 2011/2012 season. Ben White finished as top Goal scorer with 20 goals in all competiotions, and was awarded the Players Player of the Year Award.

The 2012/13 Season was different in that it was now one league with 10 teams, due to the full fixture list the cup competition was moved to the tail end of the season. Steve once again guided us through this campaign and it turned out to be the clubs most successful season finishing 4th overall, winning 8 times and seeing us reach the cup Final for the first time in our history. A big thank you to Gateway Church Ashford for their continued support and sponsorship this year meaning we could get a much needed new kit. Ben white again finished as our top goal scorer with 24 in all competitions and Marc Lawrence was voted Players Player of the year.

The 2013/14 season has seen us struggle to find our way and we have finished bottom of the league notching up only 3 wins and two draws. during the summer we lost 6 of our first team and spent the early part of the season trying to rebuild the squad. unfortunately we have not qualified for the cup competition either. Steve has decided to step down from managing the side and we thank him for all the effort he has put in over the last ten years. David Playle finished as top Goal scorer with 9 league goals and Aidan Willis was voted Players Player of the year.

why change the name? well due to league rules someone in charge of the club has to be from the church you represent but as steve does not go to Ashford Baptist we could no longer play under there name. Gateway kindly allowed us to represent them and so Gateway Church Ashford f.c was born and David as the churches representative took on the administrative role at the club thus fulfilling the league requirements.

Under new management since 2011 we now have our home games at the Courtside Stanhope:

Courtside and Pitchside Sports Facilities,

Stanhope Road,

Ashford,

Kent TN23 5RW

Gateway Church Ashford Football Club Rules

Please make yourself familiar with the league and club rules for this season

Postponements

Due to the nature of the postponement rules fixtures are unlikely to be rearranged and will be forfeited, bad weather results in a 0-0 draw to avoid fixture congestion.

A game can proceed where both teams have at least 8 players available. If there has been no postponement, then a team with less than 8 players or which has players sent off which results in less than 8 on the field, will be forced to forfeit the match either by 3-0 or at the current score, whichever is the greatest.

Discipline

Normal rules will apply regarding bookings and sendings off. This is the responsibility of the referee and is at his discretion. Again, the referee’s decision is final and should be accepted by both teams.

It is worth pointing out the obvious: This is a Christian Church League, and as such matches should be played in Christian love, with high moral standards.

As such there is no place for foul play or abusive language on the pitch.

Therefore there will be an automatic booking for any such occurrence and this will be at the referee’s discretion.

This is not to say there will be a booking for every swear word that is uttered, but persistent offenders, and those who direct foul and abusive language at others, ought to be booked.

If you receive a yellow card this season you will receive a £5 fine and a £15 fine if red carded.

Please be aware you are representing Gateway church and as such are expected to play with respect and with a good attitude.

Any grievances against the opposition need to be directed through the captain and the referee, if we still feel aggrieved then please let it be handled through the league protest system and not through self retribution or violence or misconduct as this will not be tolerated.

Last season we had 0 bookings so lets try and achieve that again this season.

Registration and match fee

This season there is a registration fee of £10 for any player that plays more than 5 matches.

Match fees are set at £5 to cover pitch and ref fees, this is for both home and away games.